This cycle route explores Germany’s industrial heritage in the Ruhr region. It takes you through one of Germany’s most unusual cycling regions, featuring monuments from 150 years of industrial history.

This diverse route offers a variety of options from one-day tours to multi-day trips, with the opportunity to experience the landmarks of the Ruhr region at close quarters: blast furnaces, gasometers, collieries and winding towers. Today, these decommissioned sites are remarkable industrial monuments where people can enjoy art and culture and a variety of leisure pursuits. The gasometer in Oberhausen exemplifies this transformation. Standing at an impressive 117 metres, it been converted into Europe’s tallest exhibition hall. This mix of industrial architecture and industrial landscapes makes a cycling tour through the Ruhr region a truly exceptional experience.

Terrain: network of cycle paths consisting of two main routes. These mainly use disused railway lines, riverbanks, forest paths and side roads. Mostly level paths, surfaced with asphalt or crushed brick/stone.

Scenery: the Industrial Heritage Cycle Route explores the industrial monuments of the Ruhr region as well as its scenic highlights such as Emscher Landscape Park, forests, rivers and canals.

At a glance: Industrial Heritage Cycle Route

Length: 700 kmNetwork of cycle routes in and around Duisburg, Essen and Dortmund